Crew Update – Middle East Situation

We would like to provide a brief update relating to the current situation in the Middle East. Our Emergency Response and Business Continuity (ERBC) team continues to monitor developments closely and assess any potential impact on our operations and personnel.

The safety and wellbeing of our crew remain our highest priority. We will continue to share further updates as circumstances change.

For crew currently onboard or preparing to travel:

  • Please continue to follow normal safety and reporting procedures.
  • Stay in regular contact with your crew coordinator for the latest travel guidance.
  • Do not make independent travel changes unless advised by the company.

Travel and Operational Impact
There are ongoing air travel disruptions in some parts of the region, with airlines adjusting routes, delaying flights, or implementing temporary airspace restrictions. As a result, crew changes involving transit through affected airports may experience delays or require re‑routing.

Our operations and crewing teams are working closely with GMT to identify the safest and most reliable travel options. Where necessary, alternative arrangements will be made to minimise disruption and ensure your safety and wellbeing.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued professionalism.

Kind regards,

Ian Trebinski and Allan Falkenberg

First Annual Award Winner for V.Group Safety Catch Announced

We are pleased to announce that Fireman James Shaibu, of m/v NUIM ANTAN (Offshore Cluster), has been named the 2025 V.Group Safety Catch Annual Award Winner under the enhanced Safety Catch Award programme. This enhanced programme – shaped directly from colleague feedback in the 2024 Safety Culture Survey – remains a key mechanism for building confidence, strengthening hazard awareness, and empowering people across V. 

“When I took that reading and saw the danger, stopping the job felt like the only right thing to do. I’m grateful to my captain, the safety officer, and the whole team who supported me through that moment. Safety is something we uphold together, every day.” 

— Fireman James Shaibu, 2025 V.Group Safety Catch Annual Award Winner   

In 2025, colleagues across the fleet submitted more than 35,000 Safety Observations, demonstrating strong engagement, vigilance, and commitment to proactive risk identification. 

As the highest form of recognition within the Safety Catch programme, the Annual Award celebrates submissions that demonstrate exemplary safety behaviours, meaningful learning, and a clear contribution to risk reduction. James’ Safety Catch reflects all these qualities. 

During a confined space entry operation, James identified a high LEL reading, verified the hazard, immediately stopped the job, and escalated without hesitation through the correct channels. His decisive actions prevented a potentially serious incident – reflecting our Values, reinforcing our V.Rules, and demonstrating disciplined application of life‑saving fundamentals - verification, early escalation, and confident use of Stop Work Authority. 

“James’ actions reflect the very standard of behaviour we strive for across V. — the courage to speak up, the confidence to stop work, and the commitment to keeping people safe above all else. What he did protected lives and demonstrates the kind of accountable and decisive safety leadership we expect from every one of us.” 

— Gerben Nijboer, Managing Director Offshore 

The vessel owner has also expressed strong appreciation for James’ actions and for the Safety Catch programme: 

“We sincerely appreciate V.Ships Offshore and the Executive Team for recognizing Fireman James Shaibu’s outstanding contribution under the Safety Catch Programme. His actions reflect the culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence that this initiative promotes, and we are proud to be associated with recognition that reinforces safety and wellbeing across our assets.” 

— Vessel Owner Representative, West Africa Gas Limited (WAGL) 

James’ Safety Catch was selected as the 2025 Annual Award winner following a structured review of all Monthly Group Award winners from across 2025, considering the quality, impact, and learning value of each submission. 

As the 2025 Annual Award winner, James will receive: 

  • The Safety Catch Annual Award shield 
  • A certificate of recognition 
  • A USD 5,000 GMT travel voucher 
  • A formal letter of appreciation from CEO Robert Desai and COO Ian Trebinski 

On behalf of the Executive Team and senior leadership, Ian Trebinski personally congratulated James, and a formal handover of the Annual Award shield will follow. 

A Lessons Learnt video based on this Safety Catch is available below. We encourage all teams and vessels to review and share this content to support safety discussions, strengthen hazard identification, and reinforce the confident use of Stop Work Authority. 

Congratulations to James — and thank you to everyone who contributed to the Safety Catch programme in 2025 by submitting observations, escalating concerns, and living our Values every day. Your actions continue to shape a safer V. 

Let us build on the achievements of 2025 and continue strengthening our safety culture as we move through 2026. 

#SafetyCatch  #HaveYourSay   

Lesson Learnt

Bravo V.Ships!

V.Ships CEO Robert Desai thanked the whole organisation for having delivered the strongest organic growth quarter in the last ten years.

“The first quarter of 2026 saw the V.Ships managed fleet expanding by a net 15 ships, delivered both by a healthy intake of new ships and a low number of vessels leaving our management.”

“V.Ships has brought new ships into management from blue-chip owners of tankers, bulkers, containers, offshore, and leisure ships, reflecting our diverse, global business. We are partnering with great shipowners who share our ethos of marine craftsmanship and a progressive outlook. These names include International Seaways, Costamare, Algoma, Wisdom, Chartworld, Silk Searoad, Marella, Mercuria, Astro Offshore, and many more.”

“This growth has been achieved through relentless focus on service delivery, customer satisfaction, organisational stability, and showing up as a trusted and reliable partner every day.”

“V.Ships is going back to the basics of great ship management, enabled by a forward-looking stance towards adopting technology and new operating models, and by treating our customers as partners. We prove our worth to our partners every day by running safe, reliable ships, and helping them manage and mitigate risk across all aspects of an increasingly complex world of shipping.”

“To our teams that make this possible, most of all our 44,000 seafarers braving the high seas to keep the world moving, thank you!”

“Let me conclude by wishing everyone health and safety in these perilous times, and in particular our brave men and women on board ships in the affected areas. V.Ships, we win together!”

One Team Gather for the Officers’ Conference in Mumbai

The V.Ships Officers’ Conference 2026 opened in Mumbai with a powerful reminder of the vital role seafarers play in keeping global trade moving. The tone was clear from the start: safety is not just a requirement, but a mindset built on everyday actions and decisions.

Officers from the Indian and Asia Cluster were recognised for their professionalism, resilience, and commitment—often under challenging global conditions—and encouraged to see their responsibilities not as burdens, but as a privilege. The message of “One Team” set the foundation for the conference, highlighting the importance of strong connections between ship and shore in an increasingly complex and fast-evolving industry.

Across the three-days, key themes reflected the realities of life at sea today. From stricter inspections and rising customer expectations to sustainability and leadership, the sessions focused on practical skills and real-world challenges. Officers were reminded that inspections are not obstacles, but opportunities to demonstrate discipline and pride, while sustainability is no longer optional but a shared responsibility. Leadership, too, was redefined—not by rank, but by behaviour, communication, and the ability to guide teams effectively under pressure.

By the closing session, one message stood above all: the strength of the organisation lies in its people and their unity. Through interactive workshops, open discussions, and collaborative problem-solving, participants demonstrated the values of care, collaboration, curiosity, consistency, and delivery. Conversations around onboard challenges, wellbeing, and communication reinforced the need for openness and continuous improvement, while also showcasing the collective experience and knowledge shared across the global fleet.

As officers return to their vessels, they carry more than just new knowledge—they carry a renewed sense of purpose and connection. The call to action is clear: apply the learnings, lead with integrity, and foster a culture of safety and trust on board. In an industry defined by distance, the reminder is powerful—no seafarer sails alone.

Together, as One Team, we remain committed to excellence, ready to meet the challenges ahead, and proud to play our roles in the future of shipping.

Recognising the Safety Catch Winner for February 2026!

This month we recognise Able Seaman Crane Operator Mayur Dashrath Ghorpade of FSO KHAWR ALADID (Offshore Cluster) for preventing a high risk enclosed space entry. His timely intervention protected a colleague from potential atmospheric hazards — an excellent demonstration of safety leadership 

As recognition, Mayur will receive a certificate of appreciation, a personal commendation letter, and a $200 GMT Travel Voucher. 

Safety Observation – What Happened 

Mayur noticed a crew member approaching the forecastle store without activating the mechanical ventilation —a critical step before entering any enclosed or semi enclosed space. 

He immediately intervened, stopped the unsafe act, and reminded the colleague of the atmospheric hazards associated with such spaces. Ventilation was then started and allowed to run before safe entry was permitted. 

This quick decision eliminated a high-risk situation and prevented possible exposure to a hazardous atmosphere. 

Key Safety Learnings 

This observation reinforces essential principles of enclosed space safety: 

  • Activate mechanical ventilation before entering enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces 
  • Confirm safe atmospheric conditions before entry—no exceptions. 
  • Challenge unsafe acts immediately, even during routine tasks. 
  • Protect each other through intervention and early reporting. 

A short Lessons Learnt video based on this submission is now available below. 

Please also refer to the updated Enclosed Space Entry Requirements (ref. to VMS release 1.05 – March 2026), to ensure full alignment with revised procedures in line with IMO Resolution MSC.581(110). 

Well done, Mayur — a true example of Stop Work Authority in action!  

#StopWorkAuthority    #HaveYourSay 

Lesson learnt

Share Your Work. Earn Voyage Loyalty SeaStars. Get Recognised.

Got a great way of doing things onboard?

We want to see it.

Submit short videos or photos (using appropriately safe equipment and in a safe manner) showing:

  • Best practice in action
  • How you do your job
  • Vessel operations
  • Onboard demonstrations
  • Smart ideas that improve safety or efficiency

No need for professional editing — raw footage and photos are welcome.

⭐ What You Can Earn

150 Loyalty SeaStars for every approved submission
+300 Loyalty SeaStars if your content is used
Up to 450 Loyalty SeaStars per piece

Equivalent gift vouchers will be issued if you are not enrolled into Voyage Loyalty.

🌟 Become a Continuous Improvement Star

Regular high-quality contributors will receive:

  • Special recognition
  • Enhanced rewards
  • Organisation-wide visibility

Your knowledge helps improve the fleet. Your experience deserves recognition. Start sharing today.

Submissions or further information can be made at the following address: Hsseq.improvement@v.group

The Continuous Improvement Video Library

Within HSSEQ, a video library has been developed and populated with a range of topics related to our company and industry. Within the library you can find topics in relation to:

  • Incident reviews
  • CI learnings
  • Safety Catch of the Month winners
  • Educational topics – the IMO Codes and Conventions Series
  • CI Information
  • PSC
  • Training – Control of Work
  • Coaching

The list goes on and the topics being developed are increasing. These short bite size videos, based on real life incidents and brought to life using AI software. These videos can be used onboard our vessels directly from the Vimeo channel.

Stay tuned for 2026 as more features will be developed and available.

Launch Video

V.Care Wellbeing Webinar – Resilience: Bouncing Back After a Setback

Setbacks are a natural part of working in the maritime industry, whether at sea or ashore—ranging from operational pressures and tight deadlines to time away from home or managing complex challenges across teams. This V.Care Wellbeing Webinar is designed to support both seafarers and shore-based staff in developing the resilience needed to navigate these challenges, recover from setbacks, and maintain both personal wellbeing and professional performance.

This session will equip you with the tools to strengthen your mindset, manage stress effectively, and stay focused—even in demanding situations.

What You Can Expect:

  • Understand common emotional and mental responses to setbacks and pressure across both onboard and shore-based roles
  • Learn practical resilience strategies applicable to maritime work environments, including managing high workloads, unexpected challenges, and supporting colleagues
  • Explore techniques to regain momentum, such as maintaining focus during busy periods, adapting to change, and solving problems effectively
  • Take part in simple, reflective exercises designed for real-world application
  • Leave with a plan to help you handle future challenges with greater confidence, strength, and flexibility

Are you aware of all the wellbeing resources available to you?

Both the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and inspiration for your wellbeing can be found on the V.Care website, or available through the V.Crew Connect App.

You can also join the V.Care Facebook page to hear from other V. seafarers and families about their journey with V.

V.Care Webinar

Oceanic Healthy Corner: Spices and Their Medical Properties

While we often use spices for taste, their medicinal properties are the real stars of the show. Discover 5 essential spices that do double duty as flavor boosters and functional health supports.

Cinnamon

  • Cinnamon can help balance blood glucose levels, even at culinary doses, if consumed for four or more weeks in a row.

  • Try to add cinnamon to your morning porridge or yoghurt.

 

Garlic

  • Garlic has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that boost the immune system and help fight infections.

  • Include garlic in your daily meals like sauces, soups, or sauteing it with vegetables and lean meats.

Turmeric

  • Turmeric is recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties, and works on the same pathways as common anti-inflammatory drugs.

  • Include turmeric in your diet by adding it to vegetables, smoothies, rice, or sauces.

 

Ginger

  • Ginger is well-known for alleviating nausea and improving gut transit time (how long it takes to digest food), which can help reduce bloating.

  • Enjoy ginger tea or add fresh ginger to your cooking for its many benefits.

 

Cloves

  • Cloves have the highest antioxidant content of all spices and possess antiseptic and pain-numbing properties.
  • A tea with cloves is great for managing tooth pain or a sore throat.